The support that the Government has so far offered to help with the cost of living crisis falls short for households on benefits and risks a 'humanitarian crisis', former PM warns.

A new report titled Is Cost of Living Support Enough?, endorsed by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, argues that the support available to help households on benefits with the cost of living does not offset the impact of the loss of the £20 Universal Credit uplift.

The report’s author, Professor Donald Hirsch, director of the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University, also found that the support does not offset the impact of inflation rates outpacing the level at which benefits have been uprated, and the forecast £800 increase in the energy price cap.

The gap between support and the cost of living is most severe for the largest households, according to the study. A couple with two children are shown to be facing a gap of at least £1,600 this year.

Introducing the report, former PM Gordan Brown wrote: 'We are facing a humanitarian crisis that Britain hasn’t seen in decades. As living costs continue to skyrocket, families on the brink of making ends meet cannot bridge the gap. Despite the additional support from government, millions of people are at risk of being pushed deeper into poverty by forces outside of their control.'

Isabel Hughes, policy engagement manager at The Food Foundation, said: ‘We and many other organisations and politicians from all sides have repeatedly warned of this impending crisis caused by the worst cost of living squeeze in living memory.

‘There is now a very serious shortfall in support for families who are most seriously in need. Urgent action is needed. That is why we have repeatedly called for extended access to free school meals for the millions of children living in poverty who currently miss out on this vital safety net.’